Thunderstorm leaves behind trail of destruction
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 16 2012:
The thunderstorm blowing at a speed of 68 km per hour which hit the entire state for about half an hour last night uprooted trees, damaged houses and snapped electric wires leading total power cut for quite some time.
At Keirao, the house belonging to one Loukrakpam Tharongou collapsed in the thunderstorm injuring some of his family members.
The house and kitchen of one Nongmeikapam Kokngangbi of Keirao Khunnou were also totally damaged by the thunderstorm.
Reports have also come in connection with damages caused to houses, Schools, colleges and cinema halls in Lamlai, Sawombung, Nongada, Kamong Khunjao, Chingaren, Tellou Chana and Lemakhong Mapal, Top Khongnangkhong and Thongju part II under Imphal East district in the thunderstorm.
The branches of the age-old trees standing inside the sacred Kangla Fort as well as other trees growing all along the road of Palace Compound, North AOC and other places have brought down by the fierce thunderstorm.
With the broken branches felling on the main line electric wires, the Electricity department was compelled to cut off the power supply all over the state.
The thunderstorm also caused havoc to electrics post and wires in almost all areas of Greater Imphal, Sagolmang, Lamlai, Pangei, Lairikyengbam Leikai, Dolai Thabi, Sawombung, Chingarel Tejpur, Phaknung, Paorabi, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Moreh, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong, Ziribam, Thoubal, Moirang, Bishnupur, Chandel, Kakching and Churachandpur.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, an official of the Electricity Department informed that the staffs of the Department have been able to restore the power supply and ensure normal power supply to the VIP quarters, Babupara, Assembly office and other important government departments by 11:30 this morning.
Later, the team also mended the power failure in Imphal Bazaar and Greater Imphal area and resumed power supply as usual in these areas by evening.
However, due to shortage of manpower in the Electricity Department, the spur lines connecting the houses in certain localities could not be repaired at the moment, the official added.
The official further informed that restoration of electric wire lines which were damaged in the thunder storm in places far off from Greater Imphal areas is full swing.
However, the process of completion would take some time.
The 132 KV power line connecting from Loktak to Jiribam too was reportedly damaged in the storm and the repairing works are going on.
Power lines in Rengpang, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi sub-division have been snapped in the thunderstorm.